Wednesday, July 30, 2008

President Signs Housing Bill

Today President Bush signed into law a massive housing bill that is to offer affordable government-backed mortgages to homeowners at risk of foreclosure, and to bolster Fannie and Freddie with a temporary rescue plan and a new, more stringent regulator. To get all the details, please click on the link below.

President Signs Housing Bill

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Friday, July 25, 2008

"Last Lecture Professor" Dies

I'm not sure if you read my post in March about one of the most inspiring people I have come across in my life, Randy Pausch. If you haven't, please take a few minutes to read and view the video from my earlier post.

Randy Pausch Post

It is with great sadness that I report that Randy passed away today at his home in Virginia. Many times in life we get wrapped up with our daily struggles and aren't really aware of what is really important. Thank you Randy for teaching me and millions others what life is all about.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

FHA and VA Loans

In today's South Florida real estate market, we are seeing more and more FHA and VA loans. I will go into much greater detail about these loans in a future post in this blog. For now, here is some basic information. A person DOES NOT have to be a first time buyer to qualify for an FHA loan, and a person MUST have served in the military to qualify for a VA loan. Both FHA and VA loans allow the home buyer to put down a much smaller downpayment than a conventional loan. This is the main reason more and more people are doing these types of loans today. If you do decide to ask your bank or mortgage broker to see if you qualify for one of these loans, below is a list of items that hold up FHA and VA (government) loans as well as some recommendations on making them smoother transactions.

1) Tax returns must be SIGNED and DATED even if they were filed by an accountant or online. (Full return w/all schedules must be included)

2) Bank statements must include NAME of the bank and the customer, Account number, and cover a 30 day history. If they are online statements they must be printed directly from a secure website indicated by “https” at the bottom of the printout. If they are provided by a bank employee, ALL pages must be signed, dated, and stamped.

3) A pest inspection must ALWAYS be done for VA loans and submitted to the lender for approval. If the inspector comments on items like rotted wood, be prepared to fix them in order to close the transaction. Also, if the inspector “calls for action” by checking a box or making comments be prepared to fix those items before closing. (example - soil line is too high, wood to ground contact, etc.)

4) Contract must be signed and dated by all parties, as well as all changes initialed/dated by all parties. This can no longer be taken care of at closing.

5) Do not put items in the contract such as “Seller to pay buyer $500 for repairs.” Anything the seller is paying to the buyer must be “towards closing costs” or paid directly to a third party vendor. (example - handy man, home warranty, etc.)

6) You should not leave for vacation during the process or the day after closing. Delays that are out of control happen with government loans.

7) As noted above, delays happen many times on government loans. Don't set up appointments with movers, contractors, parties, etc. for the day after closing. The mortgage company understands and cares that customers have obligations but sometimes delays are unavoidable. Don't schedule appointments a week after the closing date.

8) Turn in the contract as soon as possible to the lender. If there are changes required that must be initialed, sellers can get very irritated when they have to tend to the contract again a couple of days before closing.

9) The worse the credit, the more documentation required.

10) Government loans require a lot of documentation so don’t allow yourself to become frustrated. It is imperative for everyone to cooperate fully in order to have a smooth government transaction.

11) All VA applicants must have their Certificate of Eligibility (COE). If they have never used their VA benefits before, the lender can generally obtain this online instantly. If you have used your benefits before, this process can take SEVERAL WEEKS! Make sure this is taken care of before you find a home, so you can close on time.

12) All FHA/VA applicants must have 2 years of work history. School/College does count. If the customer does not meet this requirement, they will have to provide a satisfactory letter of explanation telling us why.

13) An offer letter is not sufficient to show income for FHA/VA loans. You must provide a pay stub including 30 days history prior to closing, NO EXCEPTIONS!

14) If you receive a gift for down payment and closing costs, you must show this transaction properly by way of a gift letter. There should be a paper trail proving transfer of funds from the donor to the recipient (example - Gift letter filled out by both parties as well as a copy of the cancelled check. Sometimes donor will be asked for a bank statement to prove ability to gift funds.). This is very important.

Please print this information and refer to it as a checklist, and I can guarantee you that it will save you a great deal of stress and heart ache that previous home buyers had to go thru.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Thursday, June 26, 2008

What is Title Insurance?

Title insurance is something that most buyers and sellers have heard many times, but the majority of those people aren't exactly sure what it is. So what is title insurance? Title insurance provides coverage for losses due to defects in title that occurred prior to a new homeowner's ownership. It is the only protection against things such as unpaid taxes and liens, judgements against the seller, fraud or forgery on deeds and wills, missing heirs, transfers of title by a minor, or other issues that might go undetected until after closing and which could possibly jeopardize the new homeowner's ownership and investment.

Why does someone need title insurance? There are many defects in the title that may not be revealed in the title examination. Some examples of these hidden defects might be fraud or forgeries on documents such as deeds and wills, missing heirs, defective deeds, clerical errors in records, claims arising because a married person conveyed property without his or her spouse, and transfers of title by a minor. An owner's title policy will protect and defend the homeowner's investment if any claims are made against the property, whether the claim in valid or not, at no additional cost to the homeowner.

I hope the above clears up some of the confusion that many of us have about what title insurance actually does. As with every case, it is always best to consult a real estate attorney if a problem with your title ever arises.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Monday, June 16, 2008

How Do I Sell My Home in Today's Market?

How do I sell my home in today's real estate market? That is a question that is asked a lot now days, especially in a depreciating market. There was an excellent article in today's Sun-Sentinel that gave home seller's a blue print of what to do in order to sell their home quickly. The article is below.

How Do I Sell My Home in Today's Market?


Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Short Sales - Some Real Life Examples

Short Sales. That's what so many of us hear constantly about in the real estate industry. There are two extremes here - one being the buyers that are only interested in them and nothing else, and the other buyers that don't want to have anything to do with them. As a Realtor, most of us aren't that eager to do them. The main reason is that there are so many things that the buyer, seller, and Realtor can't control. There are definitely times when buyers are able to get a great deal because they bought a short sale. But the majority of time, it's a roller coaster ride of happiness, impatience, disappointment, sadness, and then anger for the buyer, seller, and Realtors involved.

To get a better understanding of the process and some real life examples, Diane Wedner of the Los Angeles Times wrote a great article about this. Please click on the link below to read the story.

Short Sales - Some Real Life Examples


Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Monday, June 09, 2008

Is My Home Overpriced?

Wall Street Journal writer Amy Hoak wrote an article today about whether a home is overpriced or not. It is sort of long but is definitely worth reading because it gives you insight into whether the price of your home is realistic or not. Please read below.

Sluggish housing markets are filled with listings that are lingering on the market, prompting many home sellers to ponder a price cut.

A seller's reality check may come after the listing produces very few showings or a prospective buyer is lost to a competing -- and lower-priced -- home down the block.

"It's a very price-driven market," says Mike Golden, co-founder and co-principal of @properties, a Chicago-based real-estate brokerage.

No longer are buyers letting their emotions interfere when they decide to buy a home -- they're looking for deals, he says.

Many sellers whose homes are sitting on the market without a buyer in sight had unrealistic expectations from the start, real-estate agents say.

"We still have sellers who are in denial of the market and don't want to price properties where they need to," says Susan Jacobs, broker-owner of an Assist-2-Sell brokerage in Manassas, Va. Her clients are often shocked to learn how much prices have fallen.

How can sellers tell if their homes are overpriced? Look for the following signs:

1. Not enough showings. A home is likely overpriced if it doesn't get any showings in the first couple of weeks it's on the market, Ms. Jacobs says.

Even more proof a price cut is needed: people are interested enough to take information from brochure boxes in front of the home, and there have been a substantial number of hits on its Web site listings, but buyers still aren't scheduling showings, she adds.

A real-estate agent will often have access to data on how many hits an Internet listing gets.
If a home doesn't make a buyer's "showing cut," and buyers don't think it's worth the time, hassle or gasoline to schedule a visit, it's likely overpriced, says Dave Crumby, broker-owner of another Assist-2-Sell brokerage, in Tempe, Ariz.

"If you can't get people into your home, it's highly unlikely that it will sell," he says.

2. Some showings, but no contract. Perhaps the number of showings isn't a problem, yet there still have been no offers.

"If you're getting showings but not getting a contract, that means you're still not quite low enough," Ms. Jacobs says. "You're close, but there's so much competition out there."

Consider this guideline from Becky Flores, a real-estate agent at a San Antonio-based Keller Williams brokerage: "Ten showings and no offer or two weeks with no showings, you are probably overpriced for the current market. This is true especially in this very competitive market," she says.

3. Similar homes are now selling for less. In markets where the median price is falling, it's important to regularly monitor what homes are selling for, Mr. Golden says. Real-estate agents should provide clients with up-to-date information on the market to determine whether the home is still priced correctly.

"Historical data isn't quite so powerful anymore. You have to look at what is selling now, and what it is selling for," Mr. Golden adds.

In Phoenix, there's a big difference between the average price for active listings and the average price for pending sales, Mr. Crumby says.

Monitor pending sales daily, and make sure your home is competing well with the homes that buyers are taking action on, he adds.

4. Repeated negative feedback. If buyers who do walk through the home have the same negative reactions to it, that could be another red flag that the price needs to be dropped, Ms. Jacobs says.

Buyer feedback, collected from a real-estate agent, may reveal that other houses in the same price range have updated kitchens or bathrooms and the home in question hasn't kept up with the times.

To address the disparity, sellers can either remodel or cut the price.

"You can sell anything anywhere. If the price is right it will sell," Ms. Jacobs says.

5. You've cut the price, but not enough. If a price cut is in order, don't cut by small increments. Several smaller decreases could make a seller look desperate, but a larger decrease will generate more interest, Ms. Flores says.

"A $2,000 price reduction is nothing in the grand scheme of things. Even on a $100,000 house, I'd lower by $5,000 at least, if it isn't moving," she says.

"Your first three weeks are critical. You'll have your most showings with the most potential, qualified buyers -- those that are out there waiting for something that matches their needs to come on the market," Ms. Flores says.

"Don't blow it by overpricing."

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

When Should I Invest in Real Estate?

CNN recently interviewed a housing expert on when is the best time to invest in real estate. You'll probably be very surprised with his answer. Please click on the link below to view.

When Should I Invest in Real Estate?

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Understanding Property Tax Portability

On January 29, 2008 Floridians voted yes on Amendment 1 (www.YesOn1Florida.com). Amendment 1 gives the people of Florida a tax cut- guaranteed by law, and will help reignite Florida’s economy. With the passage of Amendment 1, families across Florida will see an immediate decrease and even greater savings when they move. This part of the amendment is also known as the property tax portability part. It is a huge benefit that most people aren't aware of or are confused about. Instead of giving you a somewhat confusing example of how different homeowners in different situations are affected, it is a lot easier to click on the link below and see how YOU would be affected. The link shows you what your situation would have been prior to the approval of Amendment 1 and also shows you the savings you will get now.

Miami Dade County Tax Estimator

Broward County Tax Estimator


Just in case you did want an explanation of how tax portability works, please click on the link below.

How Tax Portability Works


Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Hurricane Season 2008

The hurricane season starts June 1st every year and ends on November 30th. Since it lasts half of the calendar year, it is very important to be prepared and have a reference guide with critical updated storm information, important phone numbers, as well as everything else associated with hurricanes. Please click on the link below to get the best hurricane information I could find on the internet. You can also download and print out the reference guide in case there is a power outage in the future.

Hurricane Season Reference Guide

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Easy Way to Save Some Cash

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in January of 2007 in the US was roughly $2.13. As you all are very aware of, the price of gas has gone up like crazy recently. Now the average price of a gallon of regular gas in the US is around $3.93. That's a little bit less than double in ONLY 16 months. This post on my blog isn't about the reasons why gasoline has gone up. If you are interested in those reasons, you can click on the following link, Reasons for Gas Price Increases.
The purpose of this post is to show you a way to save a little bit of cash.

If you visit my website, www.DadeCountyMLS.com, I have a tool there where you can put in any zip code in the US, and it will tell you the cheapest price of gas (regular, midgrade, or premium) in that area. The prices are updated every 48 hours or sooner. It's amazing how sometimes the price of gas in Miami can fluctuate almost forty to fifty cents a gallon. I have been using this tool for the last few weeks and have been able to save ten to fifteen dollars a week. That might not sound like a lot, but it works out to about $700 a year. Here are some common sense tips that I am almost embarrassed to tell you, but just in case . . . .
  1. Don't drive ten miles out of the way to save money on the price of gas. Obviously if you do
    this, you won't be saving any money.
  2. Don't wait until you are almost empty to fill up. If you do this, you will be limiting your choices and may have to pay more than you have to.
  3. If you are going to be running errands, this would be the best time to check for the cheapest gas station that is close to where you are going.
  4. Last but not least. If you are waiting in a long line for gas, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR RUNNING and burning gas. Instead just roll down your windows, turn your car off, and wait.

Hopefully the price of gas will start to go down again one day soon. But until then, please go to my website at www.DadeCountyMLS.com and use my "cheapest gas" saving tool. Better yet, use the tool from now on even if prices do go down.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorial Day

Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves? It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.

I have extreme respect for those who serve or have served in our military and for those who have fallen in order to keep our country the great country it is today. Have a safe and happy Memorial Day, and let's never forget those that have given us the ultimate gift - their lives.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Thursday, May 22, 2008

National Missing Children's Day

On Sunday, May 25th, it is National Missing Children's Day. I urge you to please make the effort to sit down with your kids for at least 25 minutes today and go over different ways they can be safer. The website www.Take25.org has many great tips, discussion guidelines, and activity ideas to help prevent the unthinkable. Thank you so much and enjoy the holiday weekend.

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Miami Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Many people have heard that there are programs available today that assist people in Miami interested in purchasing a home. Some of these programs include closing cost assistance, down payment assistance, reduced rate mortgages, and relaxed qualification mortgages. Every year (or quarter) there is a budget for these programs. Even though there are millions of dollars given away each year, once the money is used, that program is no longer available for that time period.

Until recently, it was very hard to find an easy to use website that would show what someone could potentially qualify for. The website below is extremely easy to use. Once you get to the homepage, click on "Search Assistance Programs." From there, just follow the menu and within twenty seconds you will know what programs you qualify for.

Miami Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com

Monday, May 19, 2008

Six South Florida Schools Among Nation's Top 100

Newsweek magazine named six South Florida schools among it's list of the nation's top one hundred schools. Three were from Dade County and three were from Palm Beach County. Interestingly enough, Broward County, which has received numerous national awards in recent weeks, did not have any schools that ranked among the top 100. Please click on the link below to read all the details.

Newsweek Magazine's Top 100 Schools

Amit Bhuta
Real Estate Helper
Kendall Village Homes
(305) 439-3031
www.DadeCountyMLS.com